Gilmer Top 50 Since 2000

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My father being from Gilmer left me with a heavy dose of Buckeye Pride as a youth, until my Lobos washed that away. Nonetheless, since the days of Jeff Traylor a lot of awesome football has been played from the G Men. Here's a look at who I think are the best 50 players from Gilmer, while they were at Gilmer. College and NFL stats are not in consideration. 




50. Jake Holiday
Years: 2004
College: N/A

Jake Holiday was named 2nd Team All East Texas Selection in 2004 by Smoaky.com Before SMOAKY got all sophisticated with different categories, he picked 2 defensive tackles and 2 defensive ends for his All East Texas Teams. Holiday was considered one of the 4 best defensive ends in East Texas, enough to lock a spot on this list for sure. 

49. Dakota Hagler

Years: 2007-09
College: Emporia State University

In 2009 Hagler was a 2nd Team All East Texas Selection. A 3 year starter, who made all district all 3 seasons, was both an offensive and defensive lineman. Hagler was named All State in his senior season. 

48. Gus Johnson

Years: 2009-10
College: SFA

Gus Johnson pops up sorta low for a guy who spent some time in the league, but his production just wasn't very high when he played for the G. As a junior, either due to injury or game style, Johnson only rushed for 452 yards and 9 touchdowns. His senior year was better. He led the Buckeyes to the 3rd round after rushing for 1,312 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 49 passes for 562 yards and 5 touchdowns. Gus went onto SFA where he started for 3 seasons, broke school records and eventually was invited to camp with the Cowboys, Falcons, Chargers and Steelers. 

47. Brady English

Years: 2011-13
College: N/A

A 3 year Letterman for the Buckeyes, at 6'2 245 English finished his senior season with 95 knockdowns. That effort was good enough to be named 1st team all East Texas. 

46. Red Jones 

Years: 2015-17
College: Kilgore

Red Jones was never "the guy," but was a steady producer for the Buckeyes' throughout his 3 year varsity career. For a career jones finished with 128 career receptions for 1,877 yards and 15 touchdowns. Red is a benefactor of playing with Poppy Brown and what a huge 2016 year they had: 65 catches 1,003 yards for 9 touchdowns.

45. Dylan Adkinson

Years: 2012-13
College: N/A

As a senior, Adkinson was named 2nd team All East Texas after grading out at 94% Grade, with 60 pancakes, and 1 sack allowed. Not blessed with tremendous size, at 5'10 225 pounds, Adkinson was technical and nasty up front for the Buckeyes. 
44. Rohan Fluellen

Years: 2020
College: N/A

Fluellen has had one varsity season, but his place amongst the Gilmer greats is warranted. After a huge sophomore season, Fluellen comes in at 44 after a monster sophomore year where he was named District Newcomer of the Year. He had 33 tackles, 9 pass break ups and 6 interceptions. On offense he had 67 catches, 965 yards and 7 touchdowns. Can't wait to see how this one develops over the next 2 years. 

43. Johnny Perez

Years: 2014-15
College: ETBU
Highlights: https://youtu.be/tlt2GHkilp8

At 6' 280 pounds, Johnny Perez was an absolute stud in the middle of the offensive line for Gilmer in 2014 and 2015. The 2 time First Team All-State selection at guard helped lead the way to a Buckeye State Championship in 2014. 2 years, 2 First Team All-States.

42. Tristan Olivares

Years: 2013-15
College: N/A

A 3 year letterman, Olivares balled during his time at Gilmer. At 5'7 185, Olivares not only finished his senior years as a 2nd Team All State defensive lineman, but was the team's starting kicker as well. He was all district as both a junior and senior, and a key cog on the defense on 2014's State Championship team. 

41. Luke Watson

Years: 2018-2020
COllege: SFA

A 3 year letterman, Watson played a little both ways, but was a monster at the OLB position for the Buckeyes. As a junior, Watson finished with 87 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 sacks and 1 interception. As a a senior, Watson helped lead his team back to state showing up big with 93 tackles, 17 for loss, 4 sacks and an interception. 
40. Jamell Kennedy
Years: 2005-06
College: SMU

Kennedy had a big junior year playing quarterback for the Buckeyes in 2005. Fresh off a state championship year, Kennedy led the buckeyes to a 10-2 record, throwing for 154/246 for 2,253 yards and 26 touchdowns. As a senior, with the arrival of G.J. Kinne, Kennedy was kicked over to wide receiver and was the team's 3rd receiver in 2006 and was also named 2nd team all state that season.

39. Bran Webb

Years: 2017-18
College: Illinois State

Webb was a baller at the running back position during his tenure with the Buckeyes. His best season was his junior year where he went for 1,382 yards and 24 touchdowns for a 10-3 Buckeye Team. As a senior, Webb was injured throughout the season. He finished his senior year with 755 yards and 9 touchdowns. For a career webb rushed for 2,137 yards and 33 touchdowns. 

38. Luke Turner

Years: 2010-11
College: Rice
Highlights: https://youtu.be/AP8ayH6Nx10

Luke was a baller for the Buckeyes in 2010, throwing for 216/342 for 2,586 yards, 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,073 and 27 touchdowns. The Buckeyes went 9-4 that season. In 2011, Turner's year was cut short due to a leg injury, but he still managed to throw for 1,386 yards and run for 823 yards in a shortened year. He went on to Rice where he transitioned to running back. 

37. Brandon Tennison 

Years: 2019-
College: - N/A

Tennison has one year to go, but that doesn't mean he hasn't already established himself as a Buckeye great. In 2019 as a sophomore, Tennison got his feet wet in varsity action throwing for 396 passing yards and 398 rushing yards and 163 receiving yards. As a junior, Tennison led the Buckeyes back to state losing to Carthage. He threw for 3,861 yards and 40 touchdowns to 18 interceptions while rushing for 976 yards and 10 touchdowns. A big senior year could see Tennison pushing top 20, to top 10 status next year. 

36. Nick Richardson

Years: 2009-11
College: N/A

A physical tough guard who graded out at 92% and had 98 pancake blocks in 2011 was named first team all east Texas. Richardson helped lead the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record in 2011. 

35. Tristen Holt

Years: 2008-09
College: Missouri, Kilgore

Tristen Holt was a baller during his career for the Buckeyes amassing 18 receiving touchdowns, 11 as a senior in 2009. On defense he had 3 career interceptions as well as being named 2nd Team All East Texas for his work on defense. Holt was a 4 star cornerback prospect who signed with Missouri out of high school.
34. Tra Fluellen
YearS: 2016-18
College: Houston Baptist/Middle Tenn. State

Fluellen, a 6'3 205 pound safety was an All-American at Houston Baptist in his true freshman season as a safety, but at Gilmer he was a star 2 way player. At receiver, Fluellen caught 46 passes for 1,008 yards and 10 touchdowns. For a career, Fluellen had 3 interceptions. 


33. Chase Tate
Years: 2012-15
College: Texas A&M Commerce

Tate was a 4 year letterman who amassed 161 catches for 2,072 career yards and 15 touchdowns during that time. At 5'7 135 pounds, Tate was the ultimate slot, who also rushed for 1,439 yards and 11 touchdowns during his career as well. As a senior he was named 2nd Team All-East Texas as a punt returner.

32. Dane Jesters

Years: 2013-14
College: N/A

At 6' 240, Jesters was a nasty, tough leader up front for the State Champion Buckeyes in 2014. Jesters was mobile and pulled a ton for the Buckeyes from the center position. He was nasty as he loved to finish defenders, especially on peel back blocks. Jesters was named First Team All-East Texas as a center in 2014. 

31. Zac Spears

Years: 2015
College: SFA

Spears had only one year to start and almost pulled off a back to back effort in 2015. He threw for 220/392 for 2,982 yards for 32 touchdowns in his one season, leading Gilmer all the way back to state coming up short to Celina 44-49. Spears added another 137 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground that year as well.

30. Matthew Burton

Years: 2018-
College: N/A

Burton is a monster on the defensive line and is as versatile as they come. He has the ability to play defensive tackle or defensive end, and Gilmer moves him up and down the DL and allows him to be a menace to opposing offenses. Burton went off as a junior, totaling 104 tackles, 21 for loss, 17 sacks, 1 ff and 60 hurries. A big senior year could see the 4 year letterman jump inside the top 10 next year.  

29. Lamar Harris

Years: 2006-07
College: Oklahoma

As a junior, Harris caught 42 passes for 810 yards and 16 touchdowns as the #2 receiver to Curtis Brown. Defensively he had 16 tackles, 2 fr and 3 interceptions 2 going for touchdowns of 82 and 42 yards. As a senior, Harris was named 1st team all-district and All East Texas after catching 48 passes for 734 yards and 7 touchdowns while missing 4 games. For a career he had 112 catches for 1,719 yards and 21 touchdowns.

28. Kollin Hurt

Years: 2014-16
College: La. Tech

Hurt was an absolute baller in his seasons with Gilmer. He helped win state in 2014 as a contributor, and he finished his career with 28 interceptions over the last 2 seasons of his career. He was named 1st Team All-State and All East Texas as a senior, and 2nd Team All State and East Texas as a junior. 

27. Jett Jones

Years: 2017-20
College: N/A

At 5'6 170 pounds, Jett Jones shouldn't have been successful, but don't tell him that. All her did was become the school's all time leading tackler over the course of the last 4 years. Playing both outside and inside backer, Jones was instinctual and a menace. He attacked everyone and had a natural sense of getting and staying unblocked and making tackles.

26. Braylon Webb

Years: 2008-09
College: Missouri

Webb finished his senior year as a 1st Team All-East Texas selection as he had 122 tackles, 7pbus, 3 FF, 1 INT and a FR. As a junior in 2008, he recorded 68 tackles, 5 sacks, and added 4 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries.

25. Desmond Pollard

Years: 2013
College: N/a

Pollard was a dynamic receiver for the Buckeyes in 2013 that tragically passed away while hooping at a park in the offseason. He had a big junior year catching 49 passes for 958 yards and 15 touchdowns. At 6'2 180, Pollard was destined for D1 Football, but unfortunately never got the opportunity. 

24. Darrion Pollard

Years: 2011
College: Rice

Darion Pollard went to Rice to play DB, but at Gilmer he just put up stupid numbers. The number 1 receiver his senior year, Pollard went for 84 catches for 1,305 and 12 touchdowns as well as 2 punt returns for touchdowns. That effort was good enough to be named District offensive MVP.

23. Jacob Jenkins

Years: 2008-09
College: Oklahoma State

As a junior, the 6'3 260 pound guard was named 3rd Team All East Texas after an impressive varsity debut. As a senior Jenkins made 1st Team All East Texas after grading out at 92% and 55 pancake blocks.

22. Fred Walker

Years: 2002-03
College: N/A

In 2003, on the inaugural Smoaky All-East Texas Team, Fred Walker posed as the top offensive guard in East Texas. Amongst the best of East Texas, 5a-1a, writers believed Walker to be one of the best OL in this area.  
 

21. Kevin Hollis

Years: 2003-2004
College: Kansas State

Kevin Hollis was a 2 way star for the Buckeyes' during great times to be a Buckeye. As a senior Hollis led the team in catches in 2004 with 80. He was 2nd on the team in receiving yards with 988 and first on the team with 13 touchdowns. Hollis and Manuel Johnson helped lead the Buckeyes to a State Championship in 2004. 
  
20. Houston Tuminello

Years: 2007
College: Louisiana Tech

One of the best players to ever suit up for the Buckeyes' did it for just one season. Tuminello spent his time at 3 different high schools, but was a baller at each and every single one of them. In 2007, Tuminello caught 73 passes for 1,018 yards and 15 touchdowns. A first team All East Texas selection at Canton in 05, he repeated that effort in 2007 at Gilmer. 

19. Tay Bowser

Years: 2004
College: Oklahoma State
Highlights: https://youtu.be/aSzWRP2K3fA

Bowser was 2nd on the team in receptions in 2004, but he was first on the team in receiving yards for the State Champion Buckeyes. Bowser made 47 catches for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns, but showed up huge in the playoffs with 2 bombs against Tatum in the quaterfinals and had the game winning catch against Jasper in the State Championship game. His 1,120 yards rank 4th All-Time for yards in a season, and what makes even more impressive is that it happened in 2004, where teams didn't pass as much as they do now.

18. LaMArcus Morton


Years: 2015-16
College: Oklahoma State
Highlights: https://youtu.be/kzP4YuB_HjY

Recruited as a DB, Morton showed potential on both sides of the ball as a Buckeye. As a sophomore and junior, Morton flashed his offensive prowess with a slight 8 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown to 34 catches for 589 yards and 7 touchdowns. His senior year, Morton exploded. He caught 67 passes for 1,368 yards and 15 touchdowns. For a career, Morton had 109 catches for 2,108 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.

17. McLane Carter

Year: 2014
College: TJC/Texas Tech/Rutgers Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ppWGRQvL8

This lefty made the most out of his one year he got. The 6'3 195 lbs. Carter led the Gilmer Buckeyes to a State Championship, and was also apart of the best game in East Texas in probably the entire decade against Gladewater. Carter was a great passer, completing 74 percent of his passes for 3,969 yards for 47 touchdowns (both 2nd in school history for a season) to two interceptions in 2014.

16. Josh Walker


Years: 2011-13
College: Texas A&M

Walker came out of the gates smoking as a sophomore earning District Newcomer of the year after 130 tackles, 9 sacks and 17 pressures, being named 2nd Team All East Texas. As a junior, those numbers improved to 132 tackles, 8 sacks, 34 pressures and 3 FF, being named first team All East Texas. As a senior, Walker was District Defensive Player of the years after a 65 tackle, 3 sack performance. Walker was also a power back in the Gilmer offense and had 1,039 career rushing yards and 20 career touchdowns. The bulk of that came his junior season. Josh ran for 622 yards on 92 carries for 15 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns.

15. G.J. Kinne

Year: 2006
College: Texas/Tulane

This is an incredibly high position for a player that only suited up for the orange and black for just 11 games, but what GJ Kinne did in 2006 was unreal. The Prep All-American threw for 3,216 yards for 47 touchdowns to just one interception. He added another 400 yards on the ground, and rushed for 11 touchdowns. He'll be remembered for the major upset loss against L.E., but Kinne's numbers and skill level is as high as any quarterback to play for Gilmer. 

14. Dylan Fluellen

Years: 2018-20
College: Northwestern State

Dylan Fluellen was simply a productive member of the team as a sophomore and junior. He caught 37 passes as a sophomore for 553 yards and 3 touchdowns. His junior year he caught 40 passes for 669 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a senior Fluellen set records. He caught 60 passes for 1,141 yards and 18 touchdowns (1st All Time.) His 177 career catches stand 1st All Time. His 2,363 yards places him 2nd All Time. 

13. Derek McKenzie

Years: 2002-03
College: TVCC

McKenzie was an absolute baller for the Buckeye's and has been called the "founding Father" of the Gilmer Pride. As a junior, McKenzie threw for 1,745 yards as the Buckeyes were bounced in the first round. In 2003 however, McKenzie got things rolling for the Buckeyes. He led the team to a 13-1 record while going off through the air and on the ground. He threw for 179/269 for 2,751 yards and ran for another 1,570 yards and 27 touchdowns. 

12. Andrew Hines
Years: 2002-03
College: N/A

Andrew Hines was a key cog in some of the great runs in 2002 and 2003 for the Buckeyes. At running back, Hines ran for 2,726 yards in his career, 3rd most in school history. As a junior, Hines rushed for 1,413 yards leading Gilmer to an 8-3 record. As a senior, Hines rushed for 1,213 yards, helping take the Bucs to a 13-1 record. 

11. DeMarco Boyd

Years: 2012-15
College: Texas
Highlights: https://youtu.be/6HT40L7DDlI

Boyd was a 4 year producer for the Buckeyes, and did it in a multitude of ways. As a freshman, Boyd was a monster on the defensive line producing 60 tackles, 13 for loss, 6 sacks, 23 pressures and 1 FF. As a sophomore, Boyd saw his self get some 2 way action. He produced 48 tackles, 12 for loss, 6 sacks, 8 pressures, 2 FR, 7 FF while also toting the rock 13 times for 166 yards 1 touchdowns and adding 3 catches for 45 yards. As a junior, Boyd recorded 101 tackles, 7 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 14 pressures, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 FR, and 5 FF while also rushing 27 times for 260 yards and 6 touchdowns while adding 9 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown for Gilmer in their state championship season. As a senior, Boyd closed out strong: 104 carries 681 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns; 37 catches for 471 yards and 6 touchdowns while adding 74 tackles, 5 sacks, 22 pressures, 1 INT, 2 FF and 1 FR. A whopping amount of numbers for a 4 year hella productive career. 

10. Tanner Barr

Years: 2011-13
College: N/A

Barr had a career for the ages at Gilmer. In 2011 as a sophomore, Barr collected 11 interceptions en route to being named first team all-state and All-East Texas. As a junior, Barr took over at Quarterback after beating out a younger McLane Carter and produced. He threw 244/404 for 2,946 for 25 touchdowns to 14 picks. He ran for another 903 yards and 5 touchdowns as he led Gilmer to the State Championship game, losing to Navasota. As a senior, Barr fell just short of taking the team back to state, losing in the 3rd round. He put up crazy numbers though: 219/308 for 3,334 yards for 40 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. He ran for another 538 yards and 3 touchdowns, en route to being named 2nd Team All East Texas.

9. Aaron Poppy Brown

Year: 2015-17
College: ETBU

Poppy Brown saw some playtime as a sophomore and made the most out of his opportunities. He got the reigns to the offense as a starter in 2016. Brown had a big impact year throwing for 5,013 yards on 65% passing for 48 passing touchdowns. As a senior Brown lit up East Texas again with 3,523 yards on 63% for 27 touchdowns. Poppy added another 891 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He finished his career with the 2nd most passing yards in school history behind Stump Godfrey with 8,537 passing yards and 75 touchdowns through the air. 

8. Blake Lynch

Years: 2014
College: Baylor

As a senior, Blake Lynch exploded for the Gilmer Buckeyes, being the main catalyst for an offense that boosted Gilmer to a state championship. Lynch had 1,043 receiving yards on 47 catches for 16 touchdowns. Lining up as the quarterback, Lynch rushed 72 times for 888 yards and 19 touchdowns, and went 13/17 for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns passing. Defensively, Lynch added 40 tackles, 3 interceptions, one fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns. That 2 way production was one of the main reasons Gilmer was able to hoist the trophy in 2014. 

7. Daniel Dodd

Years: 2002-04
College: Snow College/Weber St. 

Dodd was a 2-Time 2 year All-State player who was also was named first team All-East Texas in 2004. As a junior, Dodd finished 3rd Team All East Texas, and as a senior was named first team All-East Texas. Dodd set the tackles record that was later broken by Jett Jones in 2020. Dodd went on to play at Snow College, before moving on to Weber St. to finish his career. 

6. Justin Johnson

Years: 2005-07
College: Oklahoma/ACU/McMurray State

Apart of one of the most entertaining eras of Gilmer Football, Johnson rushed for 3,972 yards and 44 touchdowns as a Buckeye. Most of that work came his senior year where the was the 3A Offensive Player of the year, rushing for 2,164 yards and 25 touchdowns.  As a sophomore, Johnson played linebacker and had 49 tackles, 6 sacks and 1 interception as well.

5. Kris Boyd


Years: 2012-14
College: Texas

If you watched Boyd in high school, you would've thought he was destined for big things on offense. As a sophomore, Boyd started at running back, carrying the ball 161 times for 1,276 yards for 19 touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for 226 yards that year for another 2 touchdowns. Defensively, he totaled 18 tackles and 1 FR. As a junior, Boyd continued the trend rushing for 1,191 yards on 113 carries for 19 touchdowns. He caught 23 passes for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Boyd had 26 tackles, 2 FF and one FR. As a senior, Boyd took another step, rushing for 1,052 yards and 22 touchdowns on 107 carries, and also catching the ball 36 times for 808 yards and 9 touchdowns. He totaled 43 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 INT, 4 PBU's and 1 FR on defense. For a carrer, Boyd ran the ball 381 times for 3,519 yards for 60 touchdowns, while catching the ball 79 times for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

4. David Snow
Years: 2004-07
College: Texas
David Snow was a 4 year starter for the Gilmer Buckeyes and Jeff Traylor. He was named to the all-district team 4 times, while being named All-American, All-State and All-East Texas his senior year. During his career Gilmer went 50-4 including the 2004 State Championship.

3. Curtis Brown

Years: 2004-06
College: Texas
Gilmer has a rich tradition and trying to pin one player as the best for a course of 20 years is difficult, but after reading the resume for Curtis Brown, it's obvious that he's the best player to play for the Buckeyes. Brown's varsity career started out as a sophomore when Brown started full time at cornerback. In 2004, for the State Champion Buckeyes, Brown made 46 tackles, 18 pass break ups, and 5 interceptions. As a junior he spent the majority of his time on offense, yet managed to record 15 tackles and 5 pass break ups. As a senior, he split time at both positions, and in 11 games Brown had 25 tackles and was merely tested at corner. Offensively, Curtis was the man. As a sophomore, he contributed with 16 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown and rushed 15 times for 104 yards. As a junior, those numbers went up tremendously. Brown recorded 63 catches for 974 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 750 yards on 47 carries for 8 touchdowns. In his senior Curtis Brown went for 970 yards and 14 touchdowns on 40 caches in 11 games. He added another 168 yards and a touchdown on the ground on 16 carries.

2. Darian Stump Godfrey


Years: 2007-09
College: New Mexico/Hawaii/Navarro

The superhero that is "Stump." Godfrey was a 3 year starter at quarterback for Gilmer. He threw for a career total of 9,191 yards for 114 touchdowns to 19 interceptions while rushing for 2,350 yards and 48 touchdowns. The 6'2 190 lb. QB led Gilmer to the 2009 State Championship while adding the Class 3A Player of the Year. His sophomore year, Stump led the team to the state final in 2007 but loss to Liberty Hill 38-13. After falling short his junior year, he beat Abilene Wylie 43-26. That senior year he threw for 3,581 yards on 71% completions for 42 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. 

1. Manuel Johnson

Year: 2002-04
College: Oklahoma

If you ask a Sooner fan, he was a great wide receiver, if you ask a Buckeye fan, he was the first great quarterback. Manuel Johnson quarterbacked Gilmer to perfection in 2004. You would assume that Johnson did the majority of his work through the ground, but that assumption would make you an ass. The 6'2 190 Johnson won 3A Player of the Year after he threw for a whopping 4,098 passing yards for 48 touchdowns, still school records til this day. He ran for 18 touchdowns that season as well. in 2002 he caught 4 touchdown passes in his first varsity action. In 2003, he went off. At 6-3 190, Johnson, caught 79 passes for 1,401 yards (1st All Time) and his 13 touchdowns was a school record at the time. A monster after the catch, Johnson's RAC ability made him impossible to stop.

Comments

  1. CTRDecember 9, 2021 at 2:40 AM

    Great list, but some of your colleges are wrong. Tay for example went to Mississippi State. Some accolades also incorrect. Stump was voted Mr Texas Football, the highest award for any Texas HS Player given. No Buckeye since has earned that honor. Lastly, 108 years of Gilmer football and this list is only 20 years old. This should be the best of this century. The last had some pretty good ones as well! But great job and a lot of effort put in. Appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2023 at 5:08 PM

    G. J. Kinne left Texas for Tulsa, not Tulane. He had 4 different offensive coordinators in 4 years which has helped him develop his coaching success.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 17, 2024 at 6:37 PM

    Can you do a Kilgore Bulldogs Top 50 Since 2000?

    ReplyDelete

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